WHEREAS, The first creamery in Washington was started in Cheney in 1880; and

WHEREAS, Washington's dairy industry is actually older than the state itself; and

WHEREAS, Families across Washington have depended on the safe and nutritious dairy products provided by the dairy farmers of Washington state for generations; and

WHEREAS, Dairy is an essential part of a healthy diet, is one of the major food groups represented on the USDA's "MyPlate" dietary guidelines, and three cups of dairy products per day are recommended for people nine years old and older; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately four hundred twenty family dairy farms in Washington state with approximately two hundred seventy-seven thousand dairy cows; and

WHEREAS, Dairy ranks as the second highest dollar-valued agricultural commodity produced in Washington, with a direct economic impact valued at two billion three hundred million dollars and a total value to Washington's economy of more than five billion two hundred million dollars; and

WHEREAS, There are over six thousand one hundred eighty-four on-farm dairy jobs in twenty-nine counties across Washington and over twelve thousand one hundred fifty-nine jobs in the dairy industry in total; and

WHEREAS, Washington's milk production ranked second in dollar value among all of Washington's bountiful agricultural commodities; and

WHEREAS, Washington ranks tenth in the nation for number of dairy cows per state; and

WHEREAS, Washington ranks sixth in the nation in milk production per cow, with twenty-three thousand eight hundred forty-eight pounds of milk per year; and

WHEREAS, Dairy Day at the legislature takes place on January 31, 2018, when legislators will visit with Washington dairy producers and enjoy delicious dairy products that are produced in Washington and will be handed out by the Washington State Dairy Federation, Washington State Dairy Women, and the state and county Dairy Ambassadors;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate acknowledge and honor the women and men whose work on dairy farms throughout Washington has contributed much to the strength and vitality of our economy, the character of our communities, and the general well-being of our citizens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Washington State Dairy Ambassador Anna Teachman, alternate Ambassadors Juliana LeClair and Claire Leininger, Dairy Farmers of Washington, and the Washington State Dairy Federation.